It's a super sparkly day in Gotham, as "Gothtopia" gets rolling in Gail Simone and Robert Gill's "Batgirl" #27, but a brutal villain contrasts the idyllic setting and a sense of uneasiness is pervasive in this impressive and

"Action Comics Annual" #2 by Scott Lobdell, Kenneth Rocafort and Dan Jurgens is enjoyable enough for attention to the fundamentals of comic storytelling, but the intriguing and nice looking story isn't bad, either.

Digger Mesch's idea of undead animals is decently-realized by Joshua Ortega in "The Other Dead" #1, albeit with some gratuitous distractions that slow the story's pace. It's nicely drawn by Qing Ping Mui, who makes zombie animals

In "Aquaman #23.1: Black Manta" by Tony Bedard, Geoff Johns and Claude St. Aubin, Black Manta is broken out of Belle Reve and considers his offer from the Crime Syndicate's with characteristic cold and near-silent single-mindedness.

After last month's issue was so atmospheric and creepy, Scott Lobdell and Eddy Barrows's work on "Superman" #22 is so average as H.I.V.E. and Hector Hammond face off, that it ultimately comes as a letdown.

"Batgirl" #21 a chilling tale by Gail Simone, where Batgirl battles a creepy new version of The Ventriloquist and a number of family issues, especially her own direct involvement in the apparent demise of her brother.

"Superman" #20 has beautiful art by Aaron Kuder, and a surprisingly fun story involving Superman and Orion in a typical "first they fight, then they cooperate" team-up, only this time, Wonder Woman's around too.

John Layman and Jason Fabok's Penguin story continues in "Detective Comics" #18, with a brief detour into the aftermath of last week's "Batman Incorporated" #8 that feels grafted onto the rest of the comic.

John Layman and Jason Fabok continue their
mission of adding depth and fresh, new
characters to Gotham City by delivering the
latest adventures of the Merrymaker and the
League of Smiles as they fight Batman in
"Detective Comics" #17.

BOOM! Studio's ongoing "Steed and Mrs. Peel" series debuts with a #0 issue by Mark Waid and Steve Bryant, but this re-introduction to the Hellfire Club feels like it's lacking a little pizazz even as it captures the overall structure.